ABOUT THE PROJECT
Building Confidence Through Cultural Heritage
The META-MUSEUM proposal centres on empathy as the key to understanding cultural heritage (CH) in a constantly changing world. It emphasises the role of empathy, co-creation, and individual interpretation in fostering a deeper connection with CH and building confidence when facing social transformations. META-MUSEUM envisions a museum experience that transcends the traditional model. It aims to create a pervasive, unconventional, and emotionally engaging space that integrates people, activities, and places.
The proposal highlights the impact of constant societal change on people’s well-being. Rapid technological advancements, economic challenges, and global crises lead to anxiety and a sense of losing control.
The Transformative Nature of CH: Cultural heritage is dynamic, not static. Its meaning evolves through societal interpretation. Historically, interpretation and presentation of CH has been the domain of a select few, employing a one-way communication model. This has limited public engagement and connection with it.
Understanding Change Builds Confidence
Recognising CH as a constantly evolving entity allows people to connect with it in the present, not just as a historical artefact. This promotes a sense of ownership and boosts confidence in the face of change. Crucially, CH’s resilience lies in its ability to adapt and thrive through change, not in maintaining a fixed state. META-MUSEUM aims to make citizens aware that they have the right to interpret and transform CH. Everyday actions and interpretations by ordinary people shape the value and meaning of cultural heritage. While accessibility remains important, the project emphasises the deeper right to interpret, co-create, and have a personal connection with CH.
The project focuses on archaeological heritage, often perceived as distant and requiring specialised knowledge. META-MUSEUM aims to bridge this gap and make it accessible to all. Understanding that CH belongs to everyone and its transformation depends on everyone fosters a stronger attachment and a sense of ownership. This builds confidence in facing change by recognising our collective ability to shape the future.
The Excellence of META-MUSEUM
The project focuses on creating evidence-based principles for designing cultural experiences that are transformative, democratic, and engaging. This includes developing the “TransforMeans theory” (TMt) – an approach to “empathic cultural mediation” for crafting impactful experiences.
It brings together museography, CH communication, social sciences, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and geomatics. This collaboration aims to understand how citizens engage with CH and how it can improve their confidence and resilience.
META-MUSEUM goes beyond statements to measure the actual impact of CH experiences on confidence, considering both conscious and unconscious mechanisms.
Potential Barriers
The project acknowledges potential barriers such as limited resources in cultural institutions, resistance to change, and public biases against CH. META-MUSEUM will address these through inexpensive and user-friendly products, promotion and communication strategies, and by demonstrating the value of participatory processes and empathic approaches. The project also recognises the importance of policy maker buy-in and seeks to overcome potential local policy changes through the travelling nature of the hybrid event.